NASA SPACE TECHNOLOGY GRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES – FALL 2026 (NSTGRO26) | NNH26ZTR001N 26NSTGRO B6

Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH26ZTR001N 26NSTGRO B6

NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunities - Fall 2026 (NSTGRO26) is a competitive NASA Headquarters grant opportunity released by the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) as an appendix under the broader FY 2026 SpaceTech REDDI NASA Research Announcement. The purpose of the program is to support graduate-level research that can meaningfully advance new and innovative space technologies aligned with NASA's needs for future science missions, exploration objectives, and broader economic impact. While often discussed as a fellowship, the awards are issued as grants to accredited U.S. universities, with the student’s faculty advisor serving as the Principal Investigator (PI) on the grant if selected.

The program is intended for research proposals submitted on behalf of individuals who are pursuing or planning to pursue a masters or Ph.D. in space technology-related disciplines at accredited U.S. institutions. Eligibility at the student level is limited to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and U.S. permanent residents, and proposals must target at least one of the solicitation's high-priority technical research areas listed in the appendix (see the solicitation section that details research areas, referenced as Section C.2). In practice, this means applicants need to frame a graduate research plan that is clearly responsive to a stated priority area rather than a general aerospace topic, and they should be prepared to show why the work is relevant to NASA technology development and infusion.

A defining feature of NSTGRO is that the graduate fellow primarily conducts research at their home university, but also completes Visiting Technologist Experiences at NASA Centers. Each recipient is also paired with a NASA researcher who acts as a technical collaborator. This pairing is meant to do more than provide mentorship; it is designed to connect the student's work directly to NASA’s active technology community, help the student understand real end-use applications, and create a clear pathway for sharing results within NASA. The overall structure is meant to blend academic depth with hands-on exposure to NASA’s research environment and to encourage work that can transition from university research to mission-relevant technology.

Administratively, proposals must be submitted electronically through NASA's NSPIRES system by the university's Authorized Organizational Representative, not by the student directly. The solicitation is labeled NNH26ZTR001N-26NSTGROB6 under the opportunity number NNH26ZTR001N, and it can be found in NSPIRES by searching for "NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunities - Fall 2026 (NSTGRO26)" or accessed directly via the NASA solicitation link. The submission deadline is January 29, 2026, by 6:00 PM Eastern Time, and NASA strongly encourages prospective applicants to start early to allow time for NSPIRES registration, system familiarization, and completion of required proposal fields and attachments. The opportunity is for new awards only; any continuation of existing awards is handled separately.

From a funding and scale standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant in the science and technology research and development area (CFDA 43.012). NASA indicates an expected number of awards of about 35, with an award ceiling listed as $84,000. Awards are planned to begin in the fall of the 2026 academic year and are explicitly subject to the availability of appropriated funds, which is standard language indicating that final selections and start dates depend on confirmed federal funding.

For questions, NASA routes inquiries to the Space Technology Research Grants Program email (HQ-NSTGRO-Call@mail.nasa.gov). Responses are provided by email and may also be rolled into a Frequently Asked Questions document posted on the NSPIRES page for the solicitation, with anonymity preserved for those who submit questions. The most important practical takeaway for prospective applicants is that the student, faculty PI, and university grants office need to coordinate early: the proposal must align with a listed priority research area, meet eligibility requirements, and be submitted through NSPIRES by the institution by the stated deadline.

• The NASA Headquarters in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NASA SPACE TECHNOLOGY GRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES – FALL 2026 (NSTGRO26)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.012.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2025-12-19.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-01-29. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $84,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 35 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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